Title: Isothermal study of HVAC air distribution in automotive application

Authors: M. Alhajeri, A. Aroussi, S. Aghil

Addresses: Mechanical Power Engineering Department, Faculty of Technology Study, P.O. Box 34000, Roudha, Kuwait. ' Thermofluids and Environmental Engineering Research Group, University of Leicester, UK. ' Mechanical Engineering Department, Alfateh University, Tripoli, Libya

Abstract: This paper presents three-dimensional investigations of flow fields in the passenger compartment model using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Two ventilation types are used in which the fluid flow is discharged from the windshield defroster grilles as well as the IP vents and this represents the panel mode. A fifth-scale model of a passenger compartment, which includes a driver, is considered. The flow fields from both discharges and their effects on passenger comfort are discussed and examined in detail, particularly the regions that surround the driver and passenger seats.

Keywords: CFD; computational fluid dynamics; PIV; particle image velocimetry; thermal comfort; HVAC air distribution; automotive air conditioning; air distribution; automotive ventilation; automobile industry; fluid flow; passenger comfort.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2009.027411

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2009 Vol.16 No.4, pp.379 - 402

Published online: 22 Jul 2009 *

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